Sims going online again?
The Sims has tried the online scene before and it failed pretty badly and was a free game on EA’s “EA-land” which has now been shut down. But even so, they are considering bringing online features back to the series, according to a Times Online interview with Nancy Smith (head of EA’s Sims division). The new game would contain some old features and some new, according to Smith.
Ms Smith was adamant, however, that The Sims would not break wholly with its past, and would continue to require players to buy and install software on their machines before being able to play. Some virtual worlds, such as Club Penguin and Habbo Hotel, can be played entirely within a web browser.
The Sims franchise would also continue to explore new revenue models that have become associated with virtual worlds, she said, including sponsorship and the sale of ‘virtual goods’, as on the fashion-focused virtual world for teens, Stardoll.com.
Little is known right now, but it looks like it’s coming. Will it work this time?
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I believe EA Land has been shutdown.